508 JSIOTHS AND CUITEUFLIES. 



PAPILIONIDM. 



WhililliKjs, Yi-l/oirs, Stral/onialls. 



We now anive at a large group of butterflies having six well- 

 developed legs, and where the chrysalis is attached to its support, 

 not only at the extremity of the abdomen but by a thin line or 

 thread of silk passing round the middle of tlie body, wliich, except 

 in the genus Ondtlioptera^ usually holds it in a horizontal position 

 instead of its being suspended in a perpendicular position, head 

 downwai-d, as in the Nyinphalidw. The larva is long, usuall}' 

 tapering toward the anal extremity, frequentl}' ornamented with 

 brilliant colors, and in the genera of Onilthoptcra and Papilio 

 is provided with a piotective scent organ jjlaced at the back of 

 the head which can be pi'otruded at the pleasure of the animal. 

 This organ is forked and is usually extended when tlie insect is 

 iiritated. 



To this group of butterflies belong many of the largest and most 

 grandl}' colored Lepidopterous insects of the world. It comprises 

 the magnificent butterflies belonging to tlie genus Ornitlioptera, 

 specimens of which frequently expand seven or eight inches between 

 the tips of their velvety wings, and the regal Pap'dios or swallow- 

 tailed butterflies, wherein the lower wings are usually prolonged 

 into tails at their lower extremity, and which in the coloring of 

 many of the species are incomparably beautiful. It also includes 

 a host of species belonging to the family Plerhue, so familiar to 

 eveiy one, and having white or yellow for tlie principal color of 

 their wings. 



To the genus Coh'as belongs a large number of species of medium- 

 sized butterflies widely distributed over the northern hemisphere. 

 They are among our most common butterflies in the United States, 

 and are familiar objects to every one who has an opportunity to 

 see the fields and meadows in summei'. Their colors are various 

 shades of yellow or orange with heavy black borders to the wings in 

 the males, while in the females their coloring is less sliarply defined 

 and not so heavy. The caterpillars are cylindrical, long, and taper 

 slightly toward their posterior extremity, and are green in color, 

 feeding largely on clover. U'heir chrysalides are pointed at the 



